Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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INFLATABLE BLANKET HAVING ACCESS SLITS
Backaround
Hypothermia is a condition of subnormal body temperature
and presents serious consequences to the patient suffering
therefrom. It has been shown that nearly seventy five percent
of all patients who undergo surgical procedures develop some
degree of hypothermia. This equates to approximately fourteen
million patients a year in the United States alone. The
hypothermic condition is brought on by many factors including
anesthesia, the air conditioning of the operating room, and
the infusion of cold blood, I-V solutions, or irrigating
~1uids.
Several methods and products have been developed to help
prevent hypothermia from occurring; such as the use of
infrared lamps, cotton blankets, and warm water mattresses.
However, none of these methods and products have proven
completely successful. In fact, it has been shown that these
methods and products can not even prevent the patients from
losing their endogenous heat. (See Journal of Post Anesthesia
Nursing, Vol. 5, No. 4, Au~ust 1990, pp 254-263).
Another method of helping to prevent hypothermia that has
proven very effective is the use of forced warm air
convection. As early as 1937, a refrigeration blanket using
cold air convection was suggested in U.S. Patent 2,093,834 to
Gaugler. This blanket included a plurality of layers for
channeling airflow from an inlet port. _ Non-inflatable
portions were provided around the periphery of the blanket to
secure the blanket around the body. Gaugler does not mention
hypothermia treatment and does not suggest that the blanket
could be used to supply war~ air.
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U.S. Patent 2,512,559 to Williams also relates to a
blanket for providing cooled air to a person. The blanket in
Williams comprised a plurality of thin sheets of material
connected together at a plurality of discrete locations and
connected together in a continuous line about the peripheral
edge. An air inlet was provided to c~mml~n;cate with space
between the sheets to allow cool air to be supplied thereto.
Again, no mention of hypotherm;~ treatment or the supply of
warm air is made.
In U.S. Patent 4,572,188 to Augustine, et al., a forced
air convection system which can supply either cool or warm air
to a blanket is described. The blanket in Augustine, et al.
comprises a plurality of inflatable hollow tubes having their
interiors connected together through transverse openings. An
entry port is provided in the upper surface of the blanket for
admitting the cool or warm air and small exit ports are
provided through the lower surface to allow the cool or warm
air to flow out toward a body covered by the blanket.
Other patents relating to the supply of cool or warm air
to a person through an inflatable blanket include U.S. Patents
4,660,388 to Greene, Jr.; 4,777,802 to Feher; and 4,867,230 to
Voss; 5,125,238 to Ragan et ali 5,300,100 to Hickle et al;
5,300, 102 to Augustine et al; 5,324,320 to Augustine et al;
5,343,579 to Dickerhoff et ali 5,360,439 to Dickerhoff et al;
and 5,384,924 to Dickerhoff et al. Each of these patents
describe blankets having various attributes and configurations
to supply cool or warm air to the person.
While there are a num~ber of patents noted above and
others not mentioned which relate to inflatable blankets for
use in supplying cool or warm air to a patient, there r~m~;n~
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a need in the art for improvements to forced air convection
systems.
Obiects Of The Invention
It is one object of the present invention to provide a
blanket for a forced air convection system that allows for
access to portions of a patient's body, before, during or
after surgery.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
a blanket for a forced air convection system which provides
versatility in use by providing access to portions of the
patient's body during surgery, and may also completely cover
the patient after the surgical procedure is complete.
Summarv Of The Invention
The above objects and others are accomplished according
to the present invention ky providing a blanket for a forced
air convective system which includes a separation line which
allows access to portions of the patient's body.
Brief DescriDtion Of The Drawinas
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blanket for a forced air
convection system according to one embodiment of the present
inventlon.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blanket for a forced air
convection system according to a further embodiment of the
present invention
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Fig. 3 is a plan view of a blanket for a forced air
convection system according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
Detailed Descri~tion Of The Invention
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blanket, generally designated
by reference numeral 100, for a forced air convection system,
according to one embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, blanket 100, comprises a lower sheet of material
(not visible), and an upper sheet of material 110, sealed
together around respective peripheral edges to form a cavity
therebetween. The lower sheet and upper sheet ilO, may
further be connected together in any one of several desirable
configurations, such as spot welds (see Fig. 2),
interconnected columns, interconnected tubes, etc. The
blanket 100, includes at least one inlet port 130, for
attachment to a source of forced air which will be used to
inflate the blanket 100, and provide either w~rm;ng or cooling
air to the patient. As shown in Fig. 1, the inlet port 130,
is formed through the surfaces of the blanket 100, at an
interior location spaced away from the edges of the blanket
100. Other configurations are e~ually acceptable and are
within the scope of the present invention, as will be further
discussed below. The lower sheet of the blanket 100,
preferably has a plurality of perforations or small exit holes
formed therethrough which allow air to escape from the blanket
100, toward a patient.
The blanket 100, also includes a center line seal 120,
extending from a head end of the blanket 100, for a
predetermined distance toward a foot end of the blanket 100.
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The center line seal 120, is formed by sealing the lower
sheet to the upper sheet 110, along the center of the
blanket 100, for the desired length.
In use the blanket 100, may be separated along center
line seal 120, to allow portion of the blanket to be folded
away from contact with the patient and thereby reveal
desired areas of the patient upon which it may be necessary
to perform a surgical or other medical procedure.
Separation may be accompLished by cutting through the
center line 120.
Preferably, the center line seal 120, is provided with a
perforation which allows the center line 120, to be
separated by an easy tearing procedure.
In a preferred embodiment, the blanket 100, includes
fastening means, along at least one edge of the center line
seal 120, which allow the portions of the blanket 100,
separated by the center line seal 120, to be held together
when it is desired to cover the patient completely. The
fastening means may be o~ an suitable form, such as tie
straps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers,
adhesives, tapes, etc.
The center line seal 120, may extend for any desired
length, but preferably extends far enough to enable the
entire chest and torso area of the patient to be exposed.
Preferably the center line seal 120, extends from about 20
(50.8 cm) to about 50 (127 cm) inches.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blanket, generally
designated by reference numeral 200, for a forced air
convection system, according to a further embodiment of the
present invention. The blanket 200, comprises a lower
sheet of material (not
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visible), and an upper sheet of material 210, sealed together
around respective peripheral edges to form a cavity
therebetween. In Fig. 2, the lower sheet and upper sheet 210,
are further connected together at a plurality of spot welds
240, which provide a quilt-like pattern to the blanket 200,
upon inflation. The blanket 200, includes at least one inlet
port 230, which as shown in Fig. 2, is formed along the bottom
edge of the blanket 200. The inlet port 230, is attached to
a source of forced air which will be used to inflate the
blanket 200, and provide either w~rm; n~ or cooling air to the
patient. Other locations for the inlet port 230, are equally
acceptable, such as at the corners of the blanket 200, or
anywhere along edges of the blanket 200. The lower sheet of
the blanket 200, preferably has a plurality of perforations or
small exit holes formed therethrough which allow air to escape
from the blanket 200, toward a patient.
The blanket 200, also includes a center line seal 220,
extending ~rom a head end of the blanket 200, for a
predetermined distance toward a foot end of the blanket 200.
The center line seal 220, is formed by sealing the lower sheet
to the upper sheet 210, along the center of the blanket 200,
for the desired length.
In use the blanket 200, may be separated along center
line seal 220, to allow portions of the blanket to be folded
away from contact with the patient and thereby reveal desired
areas of the patient upon which it may be necessary to perform
a surgical or other medical procedure. Separation may be
accomplished by cutting through the center line seal 220.
Preferably, the center line seal 220, is provided with a
perforation which allows the center line 220, to be separated
by an easy tearing procedure.
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In a preferred embodiment, the blanket 200, includes
fastening means, along at least one edge of the center line
seal 200, which allow the portions of the blanket 200,
separated by the center line seal 200, to be held together
when it is desired to cover the patient completely. The
fastening means may be of any suitable form, such as tie
straps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers,
adhesives, tape, etc.
The center line seal 220, may extend for any desired
length, but preferably extends far enough to enable the
entire chest and torso area of the patient to be exposed.
Preferably the center line seal 200, extends from about 20
(50.8 cm) to about 50 (127 cm) inches.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a bianket, generally
designated by reference numeral 300, for a forced air
convection system, according to a further embodiment of the
present invention. The blanket 300, comprises a lower
sheet of material (not visible), and a upper sheet of
material 310, sealed together therebetween. In Fig. 3, the
lower sheet and upper sheet 310, are further connected
together at a plurality of spot welds 340, which provide a
quilt-like pattern to the blanket 300, upon inflation. The
blanket 300, includes at least one inlet port 330, which as
shown in Fig. 3, if formed along the bottom edge of the
blanket 300. The inlet port 330, is attached to a source
of forced air which will be used to inflate the blanket
300, and provide either warming or cooling air to the
patient. Other locations for the inlet port 330, are
equally acceptable. Other locations for the inlet port
330, are equally acceptable, such as at the corners of the
blanket 300, or anywhere along edges of the blanket 300.
The lower sheet of the blanket 300, preferably has a
plurality of perforations
AMEN~
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or small exit holes formed therethrough which allow air to
escape from the blanket 300, toward a patient.
The blanket 300, also includes a separation seal 320,
extending from a head end of the blanket 300, for a
predetermined distance toward a foot end of the blanket
300. The separation seal 320, is offset from the center of
the blanket 300, and is formed by sealing the lower sheet
to the upper sheet 310, for the desired length.
In use the blanket 300, may be separated along
separation
seal 320, to allow portions of the blanket to be folded
away from contact with the patient and thereby reveal
desired areas of the patient upon which it may be necessary
to perform a surgical or other medical- procedure.
Separation may be accomplished by cutting through the
separation seal 320.
Preferably, the separation seal 320, is provided with a
perforation which allows the separation seal 320, to be
separated by an easy tearing procedure.
In a preferred embodiment, the blanket 300, includes
fastening means, along at least one edge of the separation
seal 320, which allow the portions of the blanket 300,
separated by the separation seal 320, to be held together
when it is desired by cover the patient completely. The
fastening means may be of any suitable form, such as tie
straps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers,
adhesives, tape,
etc.
The separation seal 320, may extend ~or any desired
length, but preferably extends from about 20 (50.8 cm) to
about 50 (127 cm) inches.
'4)~END~D S~EE~
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Also in a preferred embodiment, the blanket 300, includes
a head cut out area 350, for accommodating the patients head
when blanket 300, is in use.
The provision of the center line seal in the blankets
according to the present invention enable use of the blankets
in a wide variety of configurations. In particular, the
center line seal may be only partially opened so that a
limited portion of the patient is exposed, or the center line
seal may be fully opened if a greater portion of the patient
is to be exposed. Even if the center line seal is fully
opened, it is still possible to expose smaller portions of the
patient, simply by foldir.g less of the blanket back.
The invention has been described above with reference to
a center line seal. However, the present invention is equally
applicable to any seal which would aid in exposing selective
portions of a patient. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the center
line seal extends from the head end of the blanket. However,
a seal could extend from any edge of the blanket, including
the foot end, or either side of the blanket. Additionally,
multiple seals could be provided in any of the configurations
noted above. Also, these seals may extend along parallel
lines with respect to the edges of the blanket or may extend
at different angles into the interior of the blanket.
Seals may also be provided entirely within the interior
of the blanket, rather then extending from- an edge. Such
seals may be opened to allow tubes or other medical apparatus
to be admitted or egressed therethrough. Preferably, such
seals would be in the form of a cross or "X" so that the
opening could be sufficie~tly opened to serve its purpose.
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Such a seal would also allow very specific portions of the
patient to be revealed.
As noted above, the inlet port may be formed at almost
any position which allows inflation medium to be introduced to
the interior of the blanket. In particular, the inlet port
may be provided along an edge of the blanket, at a corner of
the blanket, or through the upper or lower sheet of the
blanket within the interior surface area thereof.
The blankets according to the present invention provide
for great versatility of use. In particular, the blankets of
the present invention allow for access to portions of a
patient's body during surgery. Eurther, tne blankets of the
present invention provide access to portions of the patient's
body during surgery, but may also completely cover the patient
after the surgical procedure is complete.
The blankets shown in Figs. 1 and 2 represent full body
blankets but the present invention would be equally applicable
to blankets intended to cover only portions of the patient,
such as an upper body blanket or a lower body blanket. The
blankets according to the present invention are also equally
useful in both adult and pediatric sizes. The blankets above
have been described primarily as relating to blankets for use
in the operating room, however, it will be recognized that the
present invention is equally applicable for blankets to be
used in other areas of the hospital, such as the PA~U.
Moreover, as noted, the blankets according-to the present
invention may be used to provide either w~rm;ng or cooling to
a patient.
The blankets of the present invention may be formed of
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~ 11
any suitable material capable of being sealed together at
selected positions and having sufficient strength to allow
inflation and adequate air distribution within the inflated
portion. Such materials include plastics, plastic non-wovens,
wood pulp compositions, laminated plastic and wood pulp
materials, and combinations thereof.
The foregoing has been a description of certain preferred
embodiments of the present invention, but is not intended to
limit the invention in any way. Rather, many modifications,
variations and changes in details may be made within the scope
of the present invention.
